Stars Shine Bright

When they saw the star they were filled with joy! Matthew 2:10

They said it was a once in a lifetime event. The Christmas star had not been visible to those on earth for 800 years, until December 21, 2020. We were able to partake of an astronomical event that was literally out of this world. Two planets aligned making one giant bright star and was given the name, "Christmas Star" for us to see with our very own eyes.

More than 800 years ago, over 2000 years ago a star shown brightly in the sky and guided some wise men to the newborn King of the Jews. "Where is the newborn King of the Jews?" they asked. "We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." When they heard this Christ was in Bethlehem, they set out on their journey "and the star which they had seen in the east went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, the rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had came into the house, they saw the young child with Mary and fell down and worshiped Him." Matthew 2:2; 9-11

This star was a light that had shown and guided these men of wisdom to the One true source of light and they marveled and fell down and worshiped this Wonderful Prince of Peace, this mighty God. The created worshiped the creator.

John chapter one speaks of the Word who brought forth light, who is also the same Savior that these men came to worship. "The Word gave life to everything that was created and His life brought forth light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never distinguish it. The One who is the true light came into the very world He created." John 1:5-6; 9-10

This modern day "Christmas Star" that our eyes witnessed may have been a bit lackluster and didn't quite shine as bright as we had imagined, but I guarantee this ultimate source of true light will not disappoint.

Why did this light, the Son of God come into this dark world to begin with? A simple answer, "For God so loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son. God sent His Son into the world...to save it through Him." (John 3:16-17)

Jesus says in John 12:46, "I have come as a light to shine in this dark world , so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark."

He tells his disciples in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."

What wonderful news! The greatest story ever told. God came into the world to save it, light brightened the darkness! Hope was brought to a dark and weary world! Freedom from sorrow, pain and sin was now offered! This is such wonderful news that you would think all would follow this source of light and fall down and worship this Christ. But...

"God's light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed." John 3:19-20

I wonder what would have happened if those wise men would have refused to follow the light to the Savior on that dark night. They wouldn't have been so wise after all. They were smart enough to follow and worship the King.

Those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants. (John 3:21)

It seems the source of light to lead others to the Christ is no longer a star, but us, his disciples today. At the risk of sounding cheesy, we can be a star for Jesus. Be that star that shines bright that leads others to Jesus.

"You are the light of the world, a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden." Matthew 5:14

You are the beacon of light, we as Christians, followers of Christ, are now the source that leads others to Christ and sheds light in a dark world.

By our good works we let our light shine before others and bring glory to our Father in heaven. (Matt. 5:16)

"For God who said, 'Let there be light in the darkness,' has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ." 2Cor. 4:6

The wise men saw the glory of God in the face of Jesus and fell down and worshiped, we can only do the same.

The great thing is "we now have this light shining in our hearts," but we ourselves are like "fragile clay jars containing this great treasure, this great light. This makes it clear that our power is from God and not from ourselves." 2 Corinthians 4:7

So now as a follower of Christ that has followed the light, we must now reflect and radiate that light to others, for all to see. "We once were full of darkness, but now we have light from the Lord. So we must live as people of light! For this light within us produces only what is good, right and true. We are to shed our light on the darkness and expose the worthless deeds of evil and darkness. The light makes everything visible." Ephesians 5:8-9,11

Those of us who live in the light need to be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. So we must encourage each other and build each other up. For we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation of believers and followers of the light. As a result of this, we can show others the goodness of God, for He called us out of darkness into His wonderful light. (1Thess. 5:8, 11; 1 Peter 2:9)

The thing we need to consider is that this light brings us believers together as one. All Christians, all true, faithful followers of the One true light are all part of a body, the body of Christ. The light that we shine together makes a great light, because if we are living in the light as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7). We cannot claim to be living in the light and hate our brother, our fellow believer, our cohort in light. Anyone who hates his brother or sister is still living in darkness. Anyone who loves another brother or sister is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. (1 John 2:9-11)

The wise men followed a star, the light to find the King. We as Christians together form a royal priesthood, a beautiful light that can lead others to the King as well, and shine under His wonderful light. We must remain in His light to shine and together our light shines much brighter.

If we continue to let our light reflect the true source of light and let it shine for others to see we will have the honor of going to the city that has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the lamb is the light. The lamb is the babe, the King, the Christ that the wise men sought after over 2000 years ago. They followed the source of light and fell down and worshipped the true source of light. If we wish to go to the city where there is no night and the glory of the Lord shines for ever, we would be wise to do the same.